Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: presenter, from Latin praesentare, from praesens; PRESENT1

present

2 verb
     
NEW! See related topics: TELEVISION AND RADIO
pre‧sent2 S2 W1
1

give

[transitive] to give something to someone, for example at a formal or official occasion
present somebody with something
He was presented with a bottle of champagne.
She was presented with an award.
present something to somebody/something
The computer centre presented a cheque for £500 to cancer research.
2

cause something to happen

[transitive] to cause something to happen or exist
present somebody with something
I knew I had presented her with an impossible task.
present a problem/difficulty
Large classes present great problems to many teachers.
3

present yourself

to talk and behave in a particular way when you meet people:
He presents himself well.
4

description

[transitive] to show or describe someone or something:
The artist was determined to present an accurate picture.
We'll present the information using a chart.
present somebody as something
Shakespeare presents the hero as a noble man doomed to make mistakes.
present yourself as something
The government presents itself as being sensitive to environmental issues.
5

speech

[transitive] to give a speech in which you offer an idea, plan etc to be considered or accepted:
Our manager is due to present the report at the end of the month.
present something to somebody
On January 3 the company will present its plans to the bank.
6

document/ticket

[transitive] to show something such as an official document or ticket to someone in an official position:
You must present your passport to the customs officer.
7

theatre/cinema

[transitive] to give a performance in a theatre, cinema etc, or broadcast a programme on television or radio:
Edinburgh Theatre Company presents 'The Wind in the Willows'
8

television/radio

[transitive] British EnglishAMT if you present a television or radio programme, you introduce its different parts [= host American English]
Thursday's The Late Show was presented by Cynthia Rose.
9

appearance

[transitive] to give something or someone a particular appearance or style:
The restaurant likes to present food with style.
10

something presents itself

if a situation, opportunity etc presents itself, it suddenly happens or exists:
I'll tell her as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
11

formally introduce somebody

[transitive] to formally introduce someone to another person, especially to someone of a very high rank:
I was presented to the Queen in 1964.
12

present your apologies/compliments etc

formal used to greet someone, say sorry to them etc very politely:
Mrs. Gottlieb presents her apologies and regrets she will not be able to attend.
13

illness

[intransitive and transitive] medical to show an illness by having a particular symptom (=sign of an illness):
The doctor asked whether any of the children had been presenting any unusual symptoms.
Three of the five patients presented with fever and severe headaches.
WORD FOCUS: give WORD FOCUS: give
put something in someone's hand: hand, pass
officially give something to someone: award, present, grant, confer, allocate
give something to people in a group: hand out, pass around, distribute
give to a charity: donate
give something to people after you die: leave, pass on, bequeath

➔ See also give
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
 
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